What about the North? premiers query party leaders

The three northern premiers want to make sure federal party leaders make their northern policy positions clear to Canadians in the campaign leading up to the Jan. 23 election.

To do that, they sent a joint letter to Liberal Leader Paul Martin, Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, New Democratic Party Leader Jack Layton and Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe on Dec. 14.

The letter outlines four issues that they want party leaders to clarify. That includes:

* Funding for federal programs — the premiers are concerned that Northern jurisdictions are shortchanged when programs are funded based on population.
* Northern development — the premiers want to know how each party would complete a comprehensive development strategy for the North.
* Devolution and land claims — the premiers want to hear clear positions on devolution, the completion of outstanding land claims, and implementation of land claims.
* Outcomes of the First Ministers’ Meeting on aboriginal issues — the premiers want to know whether the commitments made in Kelowna in December will be honoured.

Nunavut Premier Paul Okalik, Yukon Premier Dennis Fentie and Northwest Territories Premier Joe Handley all signed the letter.